Economic contribution

Economic Contribution

In 2015/16, 690 banana farms (of more than 0.5ha) marketed a record 393,000 tonnes (based on national levy figures). 371,000t plus was marketed in 2014/15, which was also a record year.

The following table shows significant increases in Queensland as the dominant producing State, over the last two decades.

Australian Banana Production (tonnes)

Year

QLD

NSW

WA

NT

Total

1995

149,300

49,100

16,200

1,100

215,700

2005

253,000

7,900

3,500

100

264,500

2015

353,500

16,000

1,000 *

500 *

371,000

*Cyclone Olwyn destroyed Carnarvon’s production and the Freckle eradication program meant all NT banana plants in the Top End were destroyed.

In January 2014, CDI Pinnacle released an economic study of the banana industry funded by Horticulture Australia Limited. It noted the farm gate value from the 2012/13 production of 341,000 tonnes was $480 million. This produced a $1.1 billion annual contribution in direct and indirect farm expenditure. The same output multiplier for the 2015/16 production (worth $600 million) results in an annual contribution now of $1.3 billion.

(Source: CDI Pinnacle – Value of Australian Banana Industry to Local and National Economies, 2013).

That same study showed 9,600 full time equivalent jobs in 2009/10 directly and indirectly. This too would have increased since then, in line with industry expansion in North Queensland.

The banana industry is the major economic driver and employer in Tully, Innisfail, Mareeba, Kennedy, Lakeland and Carnarvon.

Banana Industry Water Quality Strategy

The banana industry has a great reputation for adopting environmental best management practices. The majority of growers respect the natural environment and the Great Barrier Reef and understand the impact their farming can have on the quality of water in local catchments.

The North Queensland banana industry Water Quality Strategy 2017-2020 has been written with a focus on extension and working with growers to help them improve their adoption of nutrient and sediment management practices.